Book of Common Prayer

The Anglican Spiritual Tradition, parts 1 and 2

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By Martin Thornton

PART ONE
There is good reason for dividing this lecture into two unequal parts. I must first offer a brief resumé of what I take the Anglican spiritual tradition to be; then I should like to look rather more fully at the contemporary impact of our tradition, concluding with a somewhat dangerous game of attempting to read the signs of its future unfolding.

Pedantic haggling over the meaning of words is not the most exciting exercise, but it is apparent already that some attention must be given to that most ambiguous and abused term “Tradition”; paradosis, traditio, literally a giving-over, or handing-over. Handing-over be it noted and not handing-down.

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A Prologue Office of Praise: Antelogium laudis

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For the praise and glory of his Name, for our good, and the good of all his holy Church. PDFs: noted version | said version. [display_podcast] Preces Officiant    O Lord, open thou our lips. People     And our mouth shall show forth thy praise. Officiant    O God, make speed to save us. People … Read more

“The Principles behind Martin Thornton’s Theology”

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[Note: The following essay was written for Formatio Online Journal, once published by the Ambrose Institute (of Nashotah House). It can be usefully seen as an introduction to my master’s thesis on Martin Thornton, available here to download .] The Principles behind Martin Thornton’s Theology by Matthew Dallman, May 2015 Martin Thornton’s theology has been “largely overlooked,” … Read more

The Divine Office, “Devotionalized”

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It is my sense, based on wide observation, that the Divine Office, through well-intentioned use, has in fact become “devotionalized.” It has become optional, and it has become overly burdened by the dozens of variations through the Church. This, owing more to social and technological upheaval than to anything else, I suspect is true in … Read more

“Some Pastoral Thoughts on Revision of the Office”

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By MARTIN THORNTON Prism (April 1961): 3-7. Transcribed by Matthew Dallman The ideal of revision set forth in the Preface to the Book of Common Prayer is a synthesis of orthodox tradition and particular pastoral needs, and this ideal is closely linked with the ancient, if but recently rediscovered axiom that liturgy must evolve from … Read more

What is “English Spirituality”?  

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“The foundation of Christian life is the liturgy, seen as both Mass and Office, from which flows personal devotion based on the Bible.” So begins Fr Martin Thornton’s description of a key characteristic of “English spirituality,” in his classic book of the same name. Our spirituality—that is, total life responding to God’s creation—really is impacted in a … Read more

The Person of Jesus Christ (Lecture 1 of 5) by John Macquarrie

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[display_podcast] LECTURE 1 “The State of Christology in the Present Age” Presiding Bishop John Allin introduces John Macquarrie to the House of Bishops’ gathering. In this first of five presentations over five days, Macquarrie subsequently outlines his entire lecture and previews each of the five areas of christology that he will examine. Christ is at … Read more

Angels and the Catholic Imagination, part 3: Angels are Sacramental Beings

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[display_podcast] Angels and the Catholic Imagination, a homily series HOMILY I | HOMILY II Homily 3 of 3: “Angels are Sacramental Beings” Given at St Paul’s Parish, Riverside, Illinois We conclude this morning this three-part homily series on the Holy Angels with an exploration of the relationship between angels and ascetical theology. That is, the relationship between … Read more

Homily: Watchfulness through Regula

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Offered for Saint Paul’s, Riverside on the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2016 (Proper 14, Year C) [display_podcast] We return this morning to the theme of watchfulness — of being awake, of waiting, of being ready, of knowing, correctly. We after all are being told that Our Father who art in heaven wants to give us … Read more

Homily: Renaming Our Experiences (with audio)

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[display_podcast] Homily by Matthew Dallman Given at St Paul’s Parish, Riverside, Illinois On Proper 9, Year C: Genesis 18:1-10a | Psalm 15 | Colossians 1:21-29 | Luke 10:38-42 St Luke’s narrative of Christ’s journey to Jerusalem continues, just as our journey — the journey of the Body of Christ — continues to the new Jerusalem, … Read more